there's no question that bashar al-assad's rule is coming to an end. when factly that's going to happen it's impossible to say but sooner rather than later is important because the more time he has the greater the risk that this country will be destroyed. >> brown: fred hof is former special advisor to secretary of state hillary clinton. >> thank you very much. it's been my pleasure, thanks, jeff. >> woodruff: finally tonight, finding ways to boost high school graduation rates. many failing schools and so- called dropout factories in the united states have adopted turnaround models to improve test scores and achievement. in some places that's meant dismissing the principal and half the teaching staff. but one louisiana middle school is among about 40 across the country trying a different approach. ray suarez reports for our american graduate project. >> reporter: at broadmoor middle school in baton rouge, louisiana, early mornings have the feel of a pep rally. all 525 students are greeted every school day by a team of young adults from the national ser